Business
Barnsley House acquired by the PIG Hotel Group
The group’s latest acquisition is the 17th century Barnsley House hotel, tucked away in the Cotswold’s village of Barnsley, just four miles from Cirencester.
Gardens
Scotland’s Gardens Scheme launches 2024 season
A new season of Scotland’s gardens to raise much needed funds for charities and involving over 1000 volunteers and garden owners.
Tourism
New bid for Scotland’s third national park: Affric and Loch Ness
A bid to nominate Affric and Loch Ness as Scotland’s third national park has been launched to celebrate and protect its important natural and cultural heritage.
Tourism
The Newt: winner International Garden Tourism Awards & Britain’s best boutique hotel
The Somerset based country estate hotel wins 2023 International Garden Tourism Awards and claims top spot in the Top 50 UK Boutique Hotels list.
Plants
Dark Hedges
Known as Dark Hedges, Bregagh Road in Armoy, County Antrim saw the felling of at least six of the ancient beeches deemed a public safety risk.
Design
Church Barn Garden Open Day
18th century Church Barn garden in Essex, designed by Stefano Marinaz open in aid of Havens Hospices.
Environment
Kenya declares public holiday to plant trees
As part of their plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a public holiday has been declared for a nationwide tree-planting day.
On Instagram
Dordogne magic
Instagram eye candy courtesy of @dordogneperigord of Marqueyssac’s incredible sculpted topiary.
Environment
Mendip Hills declared “super” National Nature Reserve
Vast new ‘super nature reserve’, spanning the Cheddar Gorge and Mendip Hills and encompassing some of the country’s most precious habitats.
Worth a read
‘Tis the season of the leaf-peepers
Capturing the glory that is autumn is admirable, yet when armed with phones, torrents of leaf-peeping “influencers” can ruin the seasonal spectacle.
On Instagram
The magic of the B3135
Granted the Stelvio Pass is impressive and a Clarkson favourite, but the Cliff Road through Cheddar Gorge is breathtaking.
Gardens
Spectacular autumn season predicted
National Trust offers hope of a fantastic autumn display, urging Britons to enjoy the spectacle.
Environment
Climate change parterre redesign at Wimpole
Award-winning design team to redesign historic parterre at Wimpole in Cambridgeshire to ensure sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Environment
Senseless vandalism of the worst kind
Iconic Sycamore Gap tree, which stood for 300 years alongside Hadrian’s Wall, was discovered cut down this morning.
Good stuff
Kinetic greenhouse
The Woolbeding Glasshouse, designed by Heatherwick Studio can open to allow for sunshine, or stay closed to provide necessary plant protection and shelter.
Charity
NGS early spring open garden 2024 season
Over 100 gardens open their gates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as part of new garden visiting season.
Gardens
Aynho Park transformed
The exceptional Palladian mansion has been meticulously preserved and restored by Restoration Hardware (RH), marking the beginning of the retailer’s global expansion.
Gardens
National Trust purchase Munstead Wood
The National Trust has announced the purchase of Munstead Wood, the Surrey home and garden of influential plantswoman, designer and author Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932).